Will My Stretch Marks Go Away After Pregnancy?

The appearance of stretch marks is one of the most common skin concerns after childbirth. These lines and streaks develop during and after pregnancy, as the skin stretches to make extra room for the baby. This can disrupt the normal production of collagen, which then leads to scars called stretch marks.

Some experts believe that stretch marks also appear due to an increase in your pregnancy hormones. These can make you prone to developing stretch marks, as they attract and bring more water into skin, which then relaxes it and makes it easier to tear when  stretched.

Where do stretch marks appear? Will they disappear completely?

Stretch marks during pregnancy are much more common in the abdomen, but they can also appear on the breasts, thighs, lower back, hips, and buttocks. Although they can appear anywhere on the body, they are most likely to develop in areas where your skin experienced much stretchings as well as where there are large amounts of fat.

If you had your baby and developed stretch marks, you may be wondering if they will ever go away. The lines and the streaks may not completely disappear, but you may be glad to know that they will become less noticeable over time. Just like scars, they will eventually fade in the succeeding months and years.

How can I get rid of stretch marks or reduce their appearance?

There is an abundance of creams and lotions that claim to get rid of stretch marks, but most of them have minimal effect, especially on mature marks. If you want to effectively get rid of them or at least improve their appearance, it is best to consult an aesthetic doctor to discuss your options.

Here at Cutis Laser Clinics in Singapore, we have a number of aesthetic treatments that can tighten your skin, stimulate collagen production, and reduce the appearance of stretch marks without causing damage to the surrounding skin. Here are some non-surgical procedures worth considering:

Acoustic Shockwave Therapy

Acoustic shockwave therapy directly targets the skin and soft tissues to reduce and improve the appearance of stretch marks. At Cutis Medical Laser Clinics, we have two devices that use acoustic shockwave: BTL X-Wave and Zimmer Z Wave. Both are also effective at targeting cellulite, loose skin, and fatty deposits.

Shockwave therapies work by delivering acoustic waves into the body, causing vibrations in the soft tissues. It can also improve blood flow and circulation in the treated area, bringing in oxygen and nutrients to nourish the tissues. Acoustic pulses also stimulate collagen formation, resulting in tighter and more elastic skin.

There is also no downtime with X Wave and Z Wave. The treatment is tolerable and generally takes at least 30 minutes or more depending on the number of areas to be treated. It can be used in different parts of the body, such as the upper arms, stomach, thighs, and buttocks.

Dermapen Microneedling

As its name suggests, Dermapen medical microneedling is an automated skin-needling device that can help improve the appearance of stretch marks and address a number of skin conditions including acne and surgical scarring, sun damaged skin, pigmentation, and fine lines. 

The procedure works by creating thousands of miniscule needle punctures in the outer layer of the skin. The device precisely controls the pricks, which then breaks up uneven scar tissues and stimulates the growth of new ones. It promotes the regeneration of skin cells for a smoother and healthier skin. 

The Dermapen device also assists activating the cascade of fibroblast inside the skin and growth hormone to generate more collagen, and elastin. This evens out stretch marks, resulting in a noticeably smoother colored skin.

The procedure is safe and tolerable, with a shorter recovery period of at least five to seven days. You may need at least five to six treatments of Dermapen (with an interval of four to six weeks apart) to see good results.

BTL Exilis Ultra 360

Exilis Ultra 360 is an FDA-approved device that can tighten the skin and improve its overall appearance. It works by using focused, monopolar radiofrequency (RF) technology together with ultrasound to tighten skin and address skin texture problems like stretch marks and sagging skin.

It features a small and big applicator for dealing with different body concerns. The small one heats the deep layers of the skin to stimulate collagen production, resulting in wrinkle reduction and skin tightening. This makes it a good alternative if you want a non-invasive wrinkle treatment that does not involve needles or surgery.

The big applicator, meanwhile, uses the same technology but with controlled cooling to penetrate into the fat layer without harming the skin. The Exilis body applicator has been clinically-proven to eliminate fat, contour tissue, tighten skin, and improve the skin’s appearance without discomfort and downtime.

You can read our previous post to find out why Exilis Ultra is the non-invasive skin tightening for the face and body.

If your stretch marks bother you, consider the treatments mentioned above. Contact Cutis Laser Clinics today and schedule a consultation with our aesthetic doctors in Singapore to find out which procedure is right for you.